3 injured in mortar attack on UN compound in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Two United Nations staff members and a contractor were injured on Tuesday after seven mortars landed inside the UN compound in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

Nicholas Haysom, special representative of the UN secretary-general for Somalia, confirmed that none of the injuries is life-threatening and condemned the indirect fire attack.

"Today's indirect fire attack on the main UN compound in Mogadishu may amount to a violation of international humanitarian law, and I deplore this unwarranted act of aggression against our personnel," Haysom said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.

The militant group al-Shabab has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack, the first such attack this year.

"No political agenda can be served through violence that deliberately targets staff members of international organizations who are supporting the consolidation of peace and the strengthening of governing institutions in Somalia," Haysom said.